Image: blueworldvoyages.com
A leader in executing loyalty-driven corporate growth, John B. Richards has executive experience that spans companies such as Elizabeth Arden-Red Door Spa, Starbucks, and Four Seasons Hotels. Presently CEO of Blue World Voyages, John B. Richards guides a recently launched cruise line that stands at the cusp of a new trend toward voyages that place an emphasis on health and wellness.
The company envisions a growth arc that begins with the launch of its initial 5-Star vessel in 2018 and follows with two additional ships in the next four years. The fleet will plan itineraries based on criteria that include accessibility to outdoor activities such as hiking, marine sports, golf, and cycling.
As Mr. Richards describes it in a Maritime Executive article, this approach stands out as “authentically different” for the way in which wellness is embedded into the travel routes. Active lifestyle cruising is a concept that fits demographic trends, with Baby Boomers giving way to health-conscious Generation Xers, millennials, and even younger consumers. This evolving demographic promises to redefine a number of hospitality and service industries, with an emphasis on technologically connected and health-driven consumers.
John B. Richards 